How to Soften Tulle

Ainsley PattersonUpdated April 17, 2017

Tulle, a netted fabric, is a common choice in the construction of formal gowns as well as for making tutus and wedding veils. Tulle is a fitting option for adding puff to the skirt of a dress or making a full-bodied tutu because of its stiff quality. When it comes to a wedding veil and some other projects, though, you might want a softer feel to the tulle.

Place the tulle in the washing machine. Add the appropriate amount of washing powder and fabric softener to the machine for the size load the tulle makes up.

Set the machine to the proper load size and to either a hot or warm wash cycle. Run the washing machine. Run the tulle through the machine a couple more times, with only fabric softener.

Dry the tulle in the dryer.

Tip

Tulle, like most fabrics, comes in different weights. Lighter weight tulle tends to be softer to the touch than heavyweight tulle that has a more scratchy feel. Both kinds can be softened, but only to a certain extent, so keep this in mind when choosing a tulle.

Warning

Repeat the process again if you would like to soften the tulle further, but be warned that each time a fabric is run through the washing machine it breaks down the fibres of the fabric, which shortens the fabric's lifespan.

Things You'll Need

Washing machine

Washing powder

Liquid fabric softener

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About the Author

Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Ainsley Patterson has been a freelance writer since 2007. Her articles appear on various websites. She especially enjoys utilizing her more than 10 years of craft and sewing experience to write tutorials. Patterson is working on her bachelor's degree in liberal arts at the University of Michigan.